Chapter 15: Metamorphosis, Rank-up & Evolution

As I looked upon the majestic creature, certain of what I wanted, I answered the serpent in all honesty. Because I knew, this was the moment to stand tall with pride instead of cowering away. Trying to communicate I spouted whichever I could.

"Roooaaarr hisses."

Yet, nothing but hisses and roars escaped my mouth...

Disappointed I couldn't communicate, I quickly realized the serpent was communicating with telepathy. In the blink of an eye the system recognized what I wished to do and asked the following:

[A Mythical Creature wishes to communicate with you, want to answer him back? [Yes] / [NO]]

Almost unable to grasp I knew I had to answer before it would devour my measly existence in this dungeon. Having nothing much to lose I answered;

[YES]

Another notification popped up.

[Congratulations, you have now established a connection with the Mythical Beast Shirrochi.

The beast allows you to learn the skill <Telepathy> which is needed to communicate with creatures who are unaware of your language.]

[New skill unlocked! <Telepathy lv MAX]

Quickly after another window popped up.

[Due to the connection with the Mythical Beast - Shirrochi, the user gains the following title:

<Messenger of the Celestial Beasts>

[This title is allowed to be worn as permanent together with other titles, allowing a massive boost in stats to support those who wish to tell the outside world about what they experience,

as well as those with an iron will to survive. Making them aware of their surroundings

Unlocks the following benefits:

Doubles the number of skill points gained with each skill level up and user-level up.

Increases the total amount of attribute points per user level up to a total of 5. (User gains 2 points for each level before obtaining this title

All attributes +4

Armor +5

Skills:

<Telepathy lv MAX>

<Aura Body lv MAX>

Due to acquired max level skills, the user gains double the amount of skill points one usually obtains. Making the total obtained skill points: 40]

I read all this in disbelieve as I was unable to grasp the fact that I had just been blessed by a "Celestial Beast". How insane was that?!

"I take it, you like the blessing I bestowed upon you, little one?"

At the moment the celestial beast spoke to me, for some reason its presence didn't fell to dominating anymore, better yet, instead... it even felt more friendly?!

"You sssee, little one, asss we "Celessstial Beasstss" can communicate through <Telepathy>, it is but an easy task to read one's mind and find out their true intentions, which is why I bestowed upon you this title to help spread the tales of glory and old!"

Something about the voice confused me, why? One might ask... yet, I think it was because the beast's voice had changed, from a dominating male presence to a rather happy go lucky and shy female presence.

"Why do you look so confused little one? Does my presence not suit your taste?"

The question snapped me out of my confusion and made me quickly react to her holy presence.

"No... no, not at all... it's just... at first I thought you were male, as it turned out... I was wrong since you seem to be female, and yes! Even if I am confused by it all, I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised by it."

Startled by what she said I backed away a little.

And at that moment unexpectedly all the accumulated experience allowed me to level up.

[Level-up notice: <Baby Scalus lv 9> advances to <Baby Scalus lv MAX> as the user has reached

its maximum capacity the system allows a "rank-up" in the form of "Evolution".]

I looked away since I wasn't sure about what I just saw in front of me. But when I looked at it for the second time the notice disappeared making way for a new one.

[As you have reached MAX LVL, please choose your evolutionary path from the following possibilities:

Evolution Tree Scalus:

Tier 0: Baby Scalus;

Can evolve into the following:

Tier I - Lesser Scalus

Tier 0 - Baby Ragnaa

Tier 0 - Baby Seathrios]

"Wait... Tier I?! What does that mean? Don't tell me..."

I hasted to check my status window, as I looked at my name, which now showed my title, health, together with armor, mana, and stamina... I began to obsessively scan for clues which would tell me what Tier my species belonged to... Carefully I scanned over the basic information as there I found my level as well. It was true,

I was at the MAX level! Yet I tried to find something else,

slowly my eyes went to the border of the level and there I found what I was looking for...

With big letters is said: "TIER: 0"

Shocked I hadn't seen this before I began to think... What was the best way to go about this?

And could I <Observe> the "Evolutionary Tree" before making a choice that felt like it would determine the rest of my future?

Silently I turned towards my options and touched each of the choices separately as I softly said: "<Observe>". Making sure each choice popped up in their window. In doing so I leveled up my <Observation> skill.

[Due to enough accumulated experience <Observation lv 7> advances to

<Observation lv 8>. Due to the level-up the user gains 1 attribute point and 2 skill points.]

I couldn't believe what I had heard as I quickly began to examine my choices carefully. As I did, it became clear my <Observation> skill had become worlds apart from the previous levels as now the flavor text had become more detailed as even a small silhouette of the creature could

be seen.

Something about it seemed rather logical as I had not yet encountered any of Tier I forms as of yet.

[Lesser Scalus:

The bigger and stronger version of the baby scalus.

Focusses on strong jaws to break exoskeletons of its prey.]

[Baby Ragnaa:

The baby version of the Fire typing Scalus.

Has tougher scales and a "stronger" organ inside their belly to conjure fire elemental attacks. Openings between their scales allow heat to escape, not only allowing them to blend with the temperature of the environment in ways of camouflage, yet also to conjure even stronger flames.

The Baby Ragnaa while the same size as the Baby Scalus has White scales, and a reddish-orange skin underneath allowing heat to easily escape making them masters of heat manipulation.

[Baby Seathrios:

A sleuth version of the Scalus who can blend with the environment. Has the affinity to learn how to conjure shadow and poison elemental attacks Baby Seathrios while the same size as the Baby Scalus have black scales allowing them to blend with the dark environments as well as with shadows allowing the environment to work as camouflage.

As they can both conjure shadow and poison elemental attacks, not only can they spit it with their mouth and ooze it out of their claws, but they can also radiate it from the tiny open areas between their scales.]

As I carefully read all the descriptions I had to admit two of the three felt more intriguing to me,

the system had allowed me to choose a specialization. But, as I wasn't certain if the choices would return on a later point in time, I had to carefully think this through...

As I looked at the way each silhouette looked, it became apparent that the "Lesser Scalus" was bigger than the others, not to mention that it was the only Tier 1 option of the three, thinking about it I couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

Even though the other two options were better, still... the fact remained that both those options would mean a "Rank-up" or "Metamorphosis" rather than "Evolution"

Still... looking at the mere possibilities which each of them represented, the other baby forms had potential ways beyond that of the Lesser Scalus...

Glad that I could let go of one of the three in the equation, the fact remained I now had to choose between two equally powerful species, even if one might have an advantage towards the other as they would gain benefits in the stealth department.

While the other was a specialization of the area of effect damage... as the damage would exponentially increase towards the use of flames and fire.

But... if I would find myself in an environment with creatures resistant to flames, I would be screwed... While both had the focus on damage over time abilities, making it easier form me "the user" to slay prey the longer the battle would last...

Yet if I would choose the path of the Seathrios, the light would have the potential to both make and break me. The system had presented me with a difficult choice, but at the same time, did I want to become an all-rounder? Or just focus on the skills I already had?

Unable to make the choice right away I faced Shirrochi once more.

"Say, Shiro, if I may be so bold: does a celestial beast like oneself know "skills" in this world?"

Shiro faced me as she looked me in the eyes and began to think.

"Hmm... I'm afraid I can't tell you much as its the strength of the system to find out one's own potential through choosing the right path and staying true to one's own heart. And what's this Shiro stand for which you called me by just now?"

Dissatisfied by the answer, once again I turned to Shiro.

"Hmm... but there must be something you could tell me right? For example, if I would lose the skills which I had to obtain through blood, sweat, and tears?

As for the fact why I called you Shiro, it means white in Japanese, which is a language of the country I have the most respect for.

Another reason was the fact that since you acknowledged me it felt like we would see more of each other...

And as a token of respect, I wanted to give you a cute name to call you by."

Shiro began to blush and slapped her tail down as she continued to speak to me.

"Since you granted me this name especially thought up by whom I deem worthy to spread the tales of old, allow me to answer back at your efforts.

For you see, the only thing I am allowed to share is the fact that you will keep skills obtained throughout your journey, even if you might choose "Metamorphosis", "Rank-up" or "Evolution", but if it was me I would choose for "Metamorphosis" as this allows the user to gain strengths and abilities, who were previously out of reach."

I thanked Shiro for her advice and having the confirmation that the previously obtained skills would remain within my collection I had made up my mind.

Without inserting the choice the system already began the sequence allowing me to "change".